Optimism has taken significant steps to enhance its network security by disabling unauthorized fraud proofs. This move, recommended by a protocol engineer, is part of the Granite network upgrade. The decision follows the identification of vulnerabilities by third-party auditors, aiming to improve both security and performance of the OP Mainnet’s fault-tolerant system.
What Prompted Optimism’s Security Measures?
The disabling of unauthorized fraud proofs was a reaction to errors found in the newly launched system during recent audits. These audits highlighted two critical issues, leading the network to adopt stronger security measures. Despite these findings, the Optimism team reassured users that their assets remain secure. Mofi Taiwo, a protocol engineer from OP Labs, emphasized the network’s readiness to blacklist any vulnerable dispute game if an attack were detected.
How Will the Changes Affect Users?
The May upgrade proposal by Optimism included a commitment to bolster its core security mechanisms while gradually gaining user trust in the system’s reliability. This commitment has led to the decision to enable authorized rollback and restrict output proposals, thereby providing better control over potential vulnerabilities. The identified vulnerabilities, although not requiring formal audits, were flagged due to their significance in the network’s fraud-resistant system contracts.
Concrete User Implications
Important inferences from these updates include:
- Node operators must update their software by September 11 if the hard fork proposal is approved.
- Unauthorized fraud proofs are now disabled, invalidating all pending withdrawals.
- Withdrawals initiated less than a week before the upgrade will finalize a week later.
- The network’s Total Value Locked (TVL) increased by $5.88 million post-announcement.
These steps illustrate ongoing attention to fundamental security concerns in the DeFi space, ensuring better protection for user assets.
OP Labs does not foresee any disruptions due to the Granite Network Upgrade. However, if the hard fork proposal is accepted, node operators are required to update their software by the September 11 deadline. This development highlights the network’s continuous focus on security and reliability, reflecting broader trends in the DeFi market.